NATO warnt vor Supertanker mit Piraten

Vor zwei Wochen hatte ich auf Meldungen hingewiesen, dass somalische Piraten den gekaperten Supertanker Samho Dream als Mutterschiff für Angriffe auf hoher See nutzen könnten. Was ein bisschen unwahrscheinlich schien, schließlich ist ein Riesentanker dafür nicht das praktischste Gerät.

Jetzt hat sich das offensichtlich bestätigt. Jedenfalls warnt die NATO die Schiffahrt in einer heute aktualisierten Meldung vor genau diesem Supertanker und zwei ebenfalls gekaperten Dhows, auf denen die Piraten sich hunderte von Seemeilen von der Küste entfernt eine Basis See geschaffen haben:

As the monsoon continues to abate in the northeast and southwest Somali Basin and Arabian Sea the risk of Piracy in these areas has correspondingly increased.  In the northeast there are several mother ships operating east of 55E, including the MV SAMHO DREAM which may be operating in company with two unidentified fishing dhows which may correlate with media reports concerning the pirating of two Iranian dhows near 60 degrees. There is also activity at 60 degrees east probably linked to the last known location of the FV TAI YUAN 227.  Pirates frequently force these pirated vessels and crew to be mother ships, thereby extend their range and increase their endurance. The area south of 3 degrees south off the Tanzanian coast is also very active with 3 recent incidents noted and the MV ASPHALT VENTURE pirated in this area today. This area is likely to remain active for some time due to the prevailing weather conditions.

Masters should note that the Tai Yuan 227 is a white hulled fishing vessel, approximately 50 metres long, with the registration numbers BH3Z87 painted in large black letters on the hull.

VLCC SAMHO DREAM is probably being used by pirates as a mother ship in operations near the shipping lanes, approximately 190 nm SE of Socotra Island.  The SAMHO DREAM is a 319,000 dwt, crude oil tanker, approximately 333 metres long, with an orange hull and white superstructure.

Pirates on these vessels represent an active threat to merchant shipping and any small boat observed in the open ocean more than 300Nm from the Somali coast should be considered to be a potential pirate vessel.